Lukashenko sends address to EEU leaders

MINSK (BelTA) – Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has sent an address to the heads of state of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) participating states as Belarus assumed chairmanship in the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council and the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission on 1 January 2015, BelTA learned from the Belarus President Administration.

The address reads that Belarus views the Eurasian Economic Union as a crucial integration project promoting economic and social stability in the region. Belarus will strive to strengthen good neighborliness, expand economic cooperation, and promote the four fundamental economic freedoms of the union: the freedom of movement of goods, services, capital and workforce.

At all the stages of the work on the EEU Treaty Belarus consistently urged to liberalize the economic activities within the EEU as much as possible. “We still believe that the complete abolition of exemptions and restrictions related to the movement of goods should be at the core of the Eurasian Economic Union,” the address reads.

The address also puts forward a number of proposals. It suggests prompt transition to a coordinated and later a single industrial and agricultural policy, development of the major guidelines of industrial cooperation within the union, unconditional launch of the single markets of medicines and healthcare products. The address also suggests implementing the joint export promotion activities stipulated by the treaty.

Belarus also urges to elaborate the concept of the establishment of the common markets of electric energy, gas, oil and oil products. It was declared that practical steps will be undertaken to advance integration in the service sector during Belarus' chairmanship.

Top on the agenda is customs tariff and non-tariff protection in the single customs space. Belarus expects openness and transparency from its partners in the matters related to the WTO talks.

The address suggests working out efficient mechanisms to maintain the operation of the EEU if one of the member states imposes unilateral market protection measures against third countries. Much attention should be paid to the coordination of cooperation in the areas related to food safety and protection of consumer rights.

The Belarusian head of state expressed hope that Belarus' initiatives will be upheld by the EEU member states. “I am convinced that our close collaboration will help us materialize our plans and turn the Eurasian Economic Union into an independent center of sustainable economic growth,” the address reads.